Quote:
Originally Posted by alancw3
not having been a navy person but an avid sailer, i was under the impression that a navy vessel was under the command of a captain. so where does a commander come in n rank? just curious for all of you navy guys out there.
|
The rank structure US Navy:
Ensign, LT junior grade, LT, LT Commander, Commander, Captain, Rear Admiral and on up. When you are the head honcho of a ship, you are called “Captain” of said vessel regardless of your rank. Most destroyers are skippered by Commanders. In some cases you’ll see a small vessel, like a minesweep or some form of patrol boat commanded by a LT Commander or even LT and will still be called the Captain. Aircraft carriers are commanded by Captains who, interestingly, are aircraft pilots and have less sea going experience the the second in command of the ship, a surface warfare officer.